Unexpected Visitors

II

HARRY

Ron likes to snore. A lot. It sounds like he's dying. So after his not-so-peaceful night of rest, Harry had the pleasure to awaken the beast.

He was staying at the Burrow until he could find a place to stay. The Dursleys' was not a viable option. He wanted to become an Auror - like the police or military for wizards. He had heard America had an interesting system and tracked down any criminal, magical or not, that posed a threat. But his NEWT (Nauseously Exhausting Wizard Test) scores weren't exactly. . . spectacular. He had a lot on his plate, okay?

"Ron." Harry poked his friend's cheek. "Ron, wake up." Time for Plan Alpha - it always works. "Ron, food. There's food. Foooood." Ron's snoring started to easen up and sounded somewhat human-ish.

"Fuhhhhhhh. . ."

"Yeah, food. Delicious warm pancakes." The red-head raised his head and blinked slowly. After at least a solid minute of staring at Harry, Ron seemed to finally understand the raven-haired boy's words. "Food? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

He jumped up and ran downstairs. Harry just rolled his eyes. "Kids these days. . ." When he followed his friend, Harry's nose was assaulted by a heavenly aroma. "Oh, that smells amazing as usual, Mrs. Weasley."

"Why thank you dear. Has anyone seen George and Fr-" The indistinct chatter stopped as the deceased's name hung in the air. Fred Weasley. Pranker extraordinaire. Dead. Because of you, a little voice told Harry from the back of his head.

Shut up. It was hard to imagine Fred . . . well, you know. Him and his twin brother, George, were just so full of life. Actually, it was hard to believe everything that happened last school year. He was shocked that Ginny could bear to go back.

While Hogwarts was his home, it held so many bad memories in it's walls. So many deaths that could have been avoided if Harry had been braver, stronger, faster - overall better. They may have defeated Voldemort, but in no way have they won.

Rap! Rap! Rap!

"That'd be the Hogwarts owl for Ginny. I'd best be off," Mr. Weasley announced, leaving the room.

"Mum, I think George stayed at the joke shop again last night," Percy chimed in as he was sent to restore the school of magic. He picked up his empty plate and left to put the finishing touches on Hogwarts.

The remainder of breakfast was rather subdued due to the somber mood. As each Weasley finished up, they splintered off to busy themselves until Ron and Harry were left - the latter having barely touched his food.

"You gonna eat that, mate?" The red-head eyed the syrup-drowned scrambled eggs lustfully. "Nah, you can have it." Ron lunged for the plate and began to inhale the home cooked meal. Harry was about to make a comment that would make Hermione proud when he was cut off.

Rap! Rap! Rap!

"What's that? Ginny already received her invitation." Harry sped to the oriel to find two dark brown owls - a vintage-like orange or yellowish dappled chest and striking pumpkin eyes. When he opened the window, they swooped in gracefully - with more than a few completely unnecessary shenanigans, dropped a letter each, and stared at the boys expectantly.

It took Harry a few moments for realization to set in. He threw a sickle to each bewitching bird, and they darted away in rapture. "Bloody hell, Harry. They're Hogwarts messages." He looked over and sure enough - it was shut with a red wax seal with the the school crest upon it.

"Can you believe it, mate? We're going back home." Harry didn't know what to feel. How could they want him back? Led them into a blood bath. . .

"Are you gonna read it?" Ron brought him out of his depressing thoughts. Plastering on a smile, the wizard ripped open the envelope and began to read.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am pleased to inform you that you will be accepted at Hogwarts to relearn your seventh year. It has come to the Ministry's attention that you and your peers' education was incomplete due to unforeseeable cataclysms. I have accepted an alchemy professor who will supervise students and faculty. One may procure all supplies necessary - list attached - from Diagon Alley.

Years four and above will be required to take a new curriculum of physical training. The classes included are:

-Hand to Hand Combat (required)

-Art of Knives (throwing and melee)

-Swordsmanship

-Archery

- Unusual Weapons +

One will specialize in a certain area and attend every class regarding that weapon. Hand to Hand Combat is required no matter where you specialize. Each new class has a list of equipment and description attached.

Sincerely,

Pomona Sprout

Headmistress

"Sprout's headmistress? What happened to McGonagall?" Harry mused.

"Why does it matter? We get another chance at decent spots as Aurors. I can't wait."

"Yay. . ."

This was going to be a horror-show.